WIBX EXCLUSIVE: SUNY Presidency Merger Talks Underway

Utica, NY (WIBX) - WIBX is hearing about a possible merger of presidencies of State University of New York campuses. The school system has been plagued with financial woes recently.

SUNY Research Foundation; the fund raising arm of the college, is under audit by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. In a released statement concerning the audit, Dinapoli said auditors would examine, "a wide range of issues including hiring, compensation and potential conflicts of interest," including the financial relationship between SUNY and the Foundation.

Senator Joseph Griffo says he heard about the possible merger a week ago. "I was called by the chancellor's office about a week ago and told that they were studying the possibility of merging presidencies at Potsdam and Canton, which is in my district in the north country, and SUNY-IT and Morrisville here in Central New York."

He says the documents detailing the specifics have not been released however, talks with SUNY officials are being planned to discuss the proposal. He says the merger aims to cut costs in an effort to bring the college system back on solid financial ground. He says Dr. Wolf Yeigh, SUNY-IT President, may take over the Morrisville campus if the proposal gets approved. Calls to SUNY-IT President, Wolf Yeigh have not been returned. WIBX will continue to follow these developments as they become available.